Read Between The Lines

How TODAYS SOCIETY affects the education of Americas young people will determine the course of human history for generations to come. One of the most important goals of education is to instruct and to educate young people in becoming responsible citizens. Education is an invaluable resource because its tenets enable people to develop cognitively physically socially and emotionally on an individual basis. In addition an effective educational curriculum promotes individual growth and development by providing students with the opportunities to acquire moral values social skills and health-related fitness. The maturation process of young people is developmental in nature. The process covers a period of growth from birth through early adulthood (0-21). However each persons developmental timetable is unique and completely different. Through the influence of genetics parenting socialization gender and environment one individual may evolve with adequate life skills necessary for successful integration into society. In contrast however another person of the very same age can develop such unacceptable behavioral traits as insolence defiance violence disruption disrespectfulness and indolence. These inappropriate behavioral mechanisms frequently leave the person poorly prepared for a productive life. It is the authors intent that the provocative essays that follow will help to inform and educate readers about the pressing need to save our children.